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Partita No 2 in D minor, BWV1004

Introduction

The Partita No 2 in D minor (BWV1004) is the best known of Bach’s six works for unaccompanied violin on account of its brilliantly sustained, imaginatively varied and architecturally magnificent Ciaccona. Like the B minor Partita, it begins with an Allemanda which on first acquaintance may seem a little lacking in geniality. This movement, along with the Corrente which follows it and the subsequent Giga, progresses in a single continuous melodic line, in which harmony provided by multiple stopping is almost entirely absent. The Sarabanda, by contrast, with its richly chordal passages gives the impression, to some extent illusory, of greater complexity. The mighty concluding Ciaccona, a 257-bar ‘morceau célèbre’ and veritable Goliath of the violin repertory, is built on a noble and declamatory theme upon which Bach develops sixty-four continuous variations, exploring a dazzlingly intricate range of harmonic possibilities. This is a movement of unfathomable subtlety, astounding virtuosity and great expressive and architectural beauty. Bach seems to have set himself incalculable challenges, sustaining his Chaconne with a major-key section, rhythmic diversity and a kaleidoscope of technical devices both pushing the boundaries of, and summarizing, we might say, the baroque violinist’s art.

Recordings

The dazzling young virtuoso Alina Ibragimova has enthralled audiences with her live Bach performances. Critics have acclaimed her beautiful tone, superlative technique and a musical wisdom far beyond her years. Now, in this new recording of Bach’s ...» More

'Elizabeth Wallfisch's deft articulation succeeds in getting to the heart of the music' (The Strad)'This set would be a most tempting release at full price; at budget price it is irresistible' (Soundscapes, Australia)» More

During the 2011 City of London Festival, Tenebrae joined a chamber ensemble from the LSO at St Paul’s Cathedral for a performance of Fauré’s Requiem. The Requiem was preceded by a selection of Bach’s Chorales interspersed with his Partitia in D mi ...» More

From Wilhelm Kempff’s subtle resetting of Wachet Auf to Ferruccio Busoni’s virtuosic grandeur in the Violin Partita Chaconne, these performances by universally praised pianist Alessio Bax capture the reverence and resplendence of Bach’s music in t ...» More

'Nikolai Demidenko performs all the music here with admirable devotion … The playing throughout this enterprising recital cannot be faulted' (BBC ...'Demidenko plays them all with great panache and limitless technical command, clearly relishing the vast array of colour that Busoni's fertile imagina ...» More

This new album—recorded live at The Old Market theatre in Brighton—captures the energy of Rhodes in concert as he performs and entertainingly discusses works by Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, Rachmaninov and more in this 85-minute programme.» More

'Razor blades, little pills and big pianos' explores the emotive landscape that we call 'life'. This debut recording is somewhat of a biographical expression of James Rhodes’s complex and unorthodox journey. It was Bach, Beethoven and Chopin; not ...» More

The mighty Bach-Busoni Chaconne, a set of 29 variations on an eight bar theme is taken form the D minor Partita for Solo Violin. It is virtuosity on the grandest scale and a reminder that for Busoni (1866-1924) the piano was the true King of Instruments.